What conditions do chiropractors address?
Chiropractors are best known for their skills in treating conditions of the spine such as low back pain or headaches, however, chiropractors can help with a variety of health conditions. Chiropractors are skilled providers that have in depth training in conditions related to the neuromusculoskeletal systems, but can also help with nutrition, exercise, and creating healthy habits. Chiropractors do thorough examinations because they want an overall picture of your health and want to help you find ways to be the healthiest you can be!

Is chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic is very safe for all ages! Whether you’re one week old or 101 years old, you can benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractic is drug free and non-invasive, making it one of the safest medical therapies available, in fact, chiropractors have one of the lowest rates of malpractice insurance because there are very few risks involved in chiropractic care. Your chiropractor will do an in-depth exam and take a thorough history to be sure you aren’t at risk for any complications. If you have safety concerns, discuss it with your chiropractor as they are able to modify treatment to make it as safe as possible.

What type of education do chiropractors have?
Chiropractors earn their doctorate through rigorous post-graduate course work that is similar to what Medical Doctors go through. Chiropractors have in depth training in anatomy and physiology, neuromusculoskeletal systems, clinical diagnosis, nutrition, radiology, and of course manual adjusting. In addition to the demanding and stringent education that chiropractors go through, they also have to pass four intensive National Board Exams, as well as an exam in Physiotherapy and the laws of the State they are licensed in.

Do adjustments hurt?
Chiropractors help patients by finding joints in the body that have lost motion or are misaligned and then correcting them through adjustments. Adjustments generally do not hurt, however, there is a chance that the patient will have some soreness after an adjustment, similar to a muscle ache one may feel after working out. Your chiropractor will walk you through an adjustment and make sure you are comfortable. If manual adjusting (hands-on adjusting) is uncomfortable, your chiropractor may elect to use a different technique such as using a drop table or an instrument to assist with your treatment, these different techniques are not only effective but VERY gentle.

Do I have to undress for the chiropractor?
It is not necessary for most patients to undress for the chiropractor. However, if your chiropractor feels the need to visualize a certain area they will make sure your modesty is maintained as much as possible.

What is that cracking noise?
Adjustments may make a “popping” or “cracking” noise, however, this is NOT the bones cracking but rather a release of gas bubbles that build up in a joint. The noise is caused by movement and a change in pressure within the joint and usually does not cause any discomfort. While a noise may occur with an adjustment, it is not indicative of whether the adjustment was a success or not.

Can I see a chiropractor if I have conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, a slipped disc, or a previous spinal surgery?
Yes, in fact, patients with these conditions should especially see a chiropractor! Conditions such as these may cause discomfort in other areas of the body, this discomfort can be addressed by your chiropractor. Although a chiropractor may not be able to reverse some of these conditions, they may help reduce pain associated with these conditions or slow the disease process.

Resource: Healthy Living Fact Sheets. (n.d.). Retrieved March 08, 2018, from https://www.acatoday.org/Practice-Resources/Marketing/Patient-Fact-Sheets

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